State budget cuts are coming. How harsh they will be is yet to be known.
The state legislature will begin reviewing the budget immediately upon convening next year for the legislative session. Some review has already taken place. The Senate Appropriations Committee has been taking testimony in an effort to get a jump start on next year. Along with the state officials and social workers testifying before the committee were two self-proclaimed recovering alcoholics to pleaded with the committee not to cut the state drug court and treatment system.
Matt Brozovich of St. James says alcoholism led him to steal $10,000 from his employer. He turned himself in and entered drug court, which he says changed his life. Brozovich now is in his fourth year of sobriety. He tells the committee that without the drug court system he would be incarcerated or dead.
Similar testimony comes from Jackie Johnson of Jefferson City, 27 years without a drink or hit. She says she now is a productive member of society who prizes her family above all.
Both tell committee members that funding drug courts and treatment centers is cheaper than paying for the social costs of alcoholism and drug addiction.
